The Target

Prologue

Scene: Burj Khalifa Building, Dubai, UAE.

In one of the highest floors of the building, there's a secret casino. There are only a few tables in the large opulent room. It is surrounded by glass walls that provides views that only being up that high in the tallest building in the world can provide.

Mark is sitting in one of the Black Jack tables. He looks debonair in a black tuxedo, the attire of most of the men in the room, though some of them are wearing the traditional white robes of the region. There are beautiful women that are walking around and carrying trays of drinks.

Mark is looking at the hand that was just dealt to him. Standing next to Mark is his new friend Malik. Malik looks nervous.

Mark: (to the dealer) Hit me.

Dealer gives him a card. Mark looks at the card. Dealer and Mark reveal their cards. Mark wins the hand. He looks bored.

Malik: (looking more excited than Mark) Yes!

The dealer pushes the winning chips towards Mark.

The pit manager walks over to them.

Pit Manager: Sir, we would like to extend an invitation to you to the "Titanium Table"

Mark: Hmmmm... Sure. But first I'm just gonna take a little break. I need to stretch my legs.

Mark and Malik leave the table and walk to one of the large windows overlooking the city below.

Malik: Mark, are you sure about this?

Mark: (shrug) Sure, why not.

Malik: You know the reason they want you to join the table with the highest stakes is because they think you are a rich sucker. You already lost so much!

Mark: Yeah, but my luck is turning. I won the last 3 hands.

Malik: Yeah, after losing the last hundred before that.

Mark had a 'don't care' expression on his face.

Malik: Whatever, dude. If your family is that rich and you don't care about losing millions, that's up to you. My cousin couldn't be happier with me for bringing you here. Look at that smug a-hole.

They both look in the direction of the man they are talking about. Ali looks like an older, fatter version of Malik. He is laughing and talking with someone.

A pretty girl comes by and offers them both some drinks. Malik declines but Mark takes one. He lifts up the drink to Ali across the room, who does the same with his drink.

Mark: It's all good, Malik. Don't worry.

While still looking out the window, Mark stretches his arms up and to the sides and twists his body as if stretching his oblique muscles.

Mark: Let the games begin.

Scene: In a room in another tall building. A person wearing SWAT gear is standing by the window. He puts down his powerful binoculars and addresses the other men wearing SWAT gear in the room.

Man: He gave the signal. Get ready.

Scene: Titanium Table in the secret casino.

Dealer is about ready to start.

Mark: Hang on, I need my eye drops.

Mark puts some eye drops in both eyes and sits in the chair.